Annual Skills Fair Sharpens Skills for Health Services Team

Karen Novak demonstrates use of the remote for operating the electric patient beds.

Plymouth Harbor holds an annual Skills Fair that allows staff to demonstrate competence with nursing skills that are used daily to provide the most optimal care for the residents in the Smith Care Center, Home Health, and Callahan Center.

During the Skills Fair, specific stations are designed to address various topics such as order entry, dietary intake, skin care, transfer techniques, medication administration, lifts, bed alarms, Care Choices, and documentation. Each staff member is required to complete fourteen stations and assure competence.

“This is an excellent way to keep everyone’s skills sharp and up-to-date on best practices and new equipment,” says Karen Novak, Director of Health Services. “We have 100% completion with all passing the competency testing at the end. We are very proud of our staff!”

The Skills Fair is offered annually to all health services staff members. By the end of the second week, 150 health services employees will have rotated through the Fair.

Nancy Cressotti (Admissions Coordinator) and Monica Copeland (Nursing Supervisor) were present to administer the Electronic Medical Record skills competencies. Von Demosthenes (Clinical Mentor) prepared to discuss and advise on the content and enhancement of nursing documentation.

Joe Devore (Vice President of Health Services), Stacy Baker (Director of Nursing Home Health), Liz Clark (Administrator of Callahan Center and Director of Home Health), and Brandi Burgess (Social Worker) administer the Home safety, transfers, and Advance Directives skills competencies.

Hear From Our Residents

I will always remember and cherish our welcome here at Plymouth Harbor. My upstairs neighbor stepped in as we were knee-deep in boxes and brought a small vase of flowers and a note. The note welcomed us and invited us to three different evenings of cocktails and dinner with three different couples! It was just lovely!

Addie H., Resident since 2011

I didn’t know how much I would enjoy people in my own age group—I do very much. However, there are also many younger folk around. It’s a good balance! I am also very impressed by the variety of things to do, or not. The people from maintenance are so skilled and have been of great help customizing my apartment.

Cynda G., Resident since 2013

Plymouth Harbor is a church-sponsored, not-for-profit community of distinction for older adults, committed to providing the most positive aging experience possible for its residents.